february: watch, read, see, listen, do

Although February is a short month, there’s no shortage of things to watch, read, see, listen to and do (#WRSLD).  Here’s our February round-up.

watch

• Feb 2 — “Betty & Corretta” – The Lifetime original movie starring Mary J. Blige as Betty Shabazz and Angela Bassett as Corretta Scott King, focuses on the extraordinary women behind the two men who would change history, Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. The movie premieres worldwide on Lifetime at 8pm EST (check local listings).
• Feb 3 — Super Bowl XLVII – kicks off in New Orleans; however all eyes will be on the halftime show starring the Queen Bey herself, Beyoncé. The game will be broadcast on CBS (check local listings for times).
• Feb 5 — “Flight”Available on DVD/Blu-ray – If you missed it in theaters, be sure to catch Academy Award-Winning actor, Denzel Washington in the Oscar and Golden Globe-nominated drama about an alcoholic pilot who skirts disaster at 30,000 feet (Rated R).
• Feb 8 — “Identity Thief” Hits Theaters Nationwide – Actress and comedienne Mellissa McCarthy and Jason Bateman team up for this comedy about…well you guessed it, stolen identity. (Rated R) Watch the trailer here!
• Feb 10 — 55^th Annual Grammy Awards – Be sure to tune in to see if your favorite musical acts take home the coveted Gramophone. The ceremony will be broadcast live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles and airs on CBS February 10, 2013 at 8pmEST.
• Extra: Be sure to also catch the 85^th Annual Academy Awards (Oscars) on Feb. 24^th

read

1. “Remembering Whitney” by Cissy Houston (HarperCollins Publishers) – The definitive account of Whitney Houston’s astonishing life, ground-breaking career, and tragic death — complete with never-before-seen photographs — from the only one who truly knows the story behind the headlines: her mother, Cissy Houston.
2. “Ten Years Later” by Hoda Kotb (Simon & Schuster) – The chipper Today Show fourth hour co-host profiles people who have transformed their lives and tracks the lives of six hard-luck cases: a 9/11 survivor, a woman who dealt with domestic abuse and lost 340lbs and others who have overcome major obstacles.
3. “This is the Day: The March on Washington” (Getty) – Will launch at the Library of Congress. The book is photographer Leonard Freed’s powerful visual testimony to the historic march at which Dr. Martin Luther King delivers his world-famous “I have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial.
4. “Manology: Secrets of Your Man’s Mind Revealed” by Rev Run and Tyrese Gibson(Simon & Schuster) – Thanks to Steve Harvey’s best-selling Act like a Lady, Think like a Man, a few more brothers are attempting to answer those burning questions women have about their men. Enter Rev Run and Tyrese Gibson (an unlikely pair) who’ve teamed up to provide advice on improving communication between Venus and Mars.
5. “PHILIDA” by André Brink(Vintage Books) – Loosely based on a true story and set in 1832, the novel intricately details the anxieties and disappointments associated with the often predetermined future of an enslaved person.

see

1. Boyz II Men Touring with NKOTB and 98 Degrees– It was announced just last week that New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men and the newly reunited 98 Degrees will be prepping a North American arena tour. Set to kick off May 31 in Uncasville, Conn., the 28-city trek — dubbed the Package — includes a stop at Staples Center on July 5. Tickets go on sale Feb. 2 and are available at Ticketmaster.com.
2. FELA! On Tour Feat. Michelle Williams (Destiny’s Child) – Michelle Williams is best known for her accomplished musical career — which already includes three solo albums, in addition to her work as one-third of Destiny’s Child — but the Illinois native has also became a staple on the theater circuit over the past few years. Her latest gig finds her playing a lead role in the national tour of the Tony Award-winning play “Fela!,” which kicked off in Washington, D.C., last week. Visit FelaOnBroadway.com to see when its coming to your city and tickets.
3. Scarlett Johansson on Broadway’s “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” – When in NYC be sure to check out Scar-Jo on the Great White Way, as she’s been getting rave reviews for her turn in the yet another revival of playwright, Tennessee William’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in the role of Maggie. Tickets: TicketMaster.com

listen

1. Our Pick of Songs to Download Before Grammy Night:
   1. Frank Ocean, “Pyramids” – Channel Orange
   2. Miguel Feat. Alicia Keys, “Where’s the Fun in forever?” – Kaleidoscope Dream
   3. Nas Feat. Amy Winehouse “CherryWine” – Life is Good
   4. 2 Chainz Feat. Dolla Boy “Stop Me Now” – Based on a T.R.U. story
   5. Kelly Clarkson, “Mr. Know It All” – Stronger
2. Justin Timberlake is Bringing Sexy Back! – Be sure to check out his new single “Suit & Tie” feat. Hip-Hop heavyweight, Jay-Z which has been released online and is available for digital download. JT’s comeback album hits stores on March 19^th.
3. French Montana: Excuse His French! – ThisBronx hustler’s street-approved mixtapes made him a rap-blog favorite; now he’s ready to take it wide on his major-label debut, “Excuse My French”, due out in March. Best Track: “Pop That”Feat. Rick Ross
4. Destiny’s Child new single: “Nuclear” – The rumors have been confirmed that the ladies of D.C. will in fact be performing together at this year’s Super Bowl. Until then, check out “Nuclear” – their first new recording together in eight years off their new album Love Songs.  The track has been released online and is available for digital download.

do

1. Purchase a Commemorate Coin! Its Black History Month! Celebrate by buying the first commemorative coin featuring an African-American girl in the center from the Girl Scouts of America.
2. Happy Birthday NAACP! – Celebrate 104 years of the NAACP on February 12^th.
3. Travel to Paris, France! -Since World War I, the City of Lights has beckoned African-American artists including Langston Hughes among others. MUST SEE: Sculptures of African subjects by Charles-Henri-Joseph Cordier at the Musée d’Orsay.
4. Visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington D.C.– What better way to honor MLK JR during Black History Month than to visit the memorial in our nation’s capital? For more information on planning a trip, visit: http://www.nps.gov/